Traveler Safety in Assam

Is Assam unsafe for tourists?
What are the health precautions one should take?

Political Unrest

Even though Assam has witnessed political unrest for the last three decades, there are no specific reports of travelers being victims of such unrest. However, general public strike organized by specific organizations can disrupt or upset travel plans. Hence, it is advised that travelers monitor the overall political situation as closely as possible before and during their travel in Assam. Generally, avoid traveling to Assam during the Indian independence day (August 15) or the Indian Republic day (January 26). Political organizations call general strikes during this period and there is a overwhelmingly big chance that road, rail and air traffic is disrupted just before and on the day of these national days. In case you are already in Assam during these days, be sure to equip yourself with a lot of readings, so that you can stay home without getting bored.

Touting

Touting is not common in Assam as it is in other popular tourist destinations in India. On the contrary, many times you may be experiencing lack information to go from point A to point B in Assam. Similarly, cheating tourists is also not a favorite occupation in this area, as it in the other parts of India. However, as in any part of the world, be sure to take care of your belongings.

Female Traveler

Unaccompanied female travelers should be careful not to travel in isolated places alone especially after dust. However, generally people are friendly and helpful to female travelers. Assam being one of the places that receives very small number of foreign tourists, it is common for the local people to stare and to be curious about the travelers. A smile can be a good weapon to ward off such awkward glances.

Health

Owing to its humid and tropical climate, Assam is a place that has seen some worst cases of malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis and numerous gastro-intestinal illnesses. Most of these illnesses are water-bourne or transmitted by mosquitoes. Before you travel to Assam, make sure that you have taken proper preventive shots for Hepatitis. Carry enough mosquito repellent cream with you. If you stay in a hotel, insist on a mosquito net. Under no condition do drink tap water or water that is not bottled. When you buy bottled water, make sure that the cap is sealed. It is also a good idea to carry a lot of hand sanitizer. These preventive measures irk some locals but you can always explain to them that you have limited time to travel in Assam and you do not want to fall sick while enjoying the province.

Allergies

If you are allergic to dust and pollens, make sure you carry a load of antihistamines. Food allergy is a condition almost unknown to the common people in Assam. Hence, they may not fully understand the seriousness of lactose-intolerence or gluten-intolerence. In many places like the Cafe Coffee Day, waiters do not know that cold coffee can be prepared without milk. Tell your host specifically that if you eat item X, you may be very sick.

Comments

This is a thoughtful article on safety for travelers in Assam. It is good read to be alert before planning to travel any location in Assam either people from outside of Assam or the people living within the state. Some indispensable things are covering in this article. Because people not living in Assam think that travelling Assam is problem and even the private as well as government employees transferred to Assam cry for joining Assam. This is the first guess without experience. But whenever transferred people get settled once they do not want to leave this place because of its climate, simple and peaceful living. This is beyond the points raised in this article. But of course, sometimes, bandhs paralyse the normal life frequently but it is not permanent. Actually what people think dangerous about this place in real nothing exactly of that, but of course, better try heading as per own trip plans during normal situation. This is applicable everywhere in India or even in abroad also. All the best!!

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